Sanders named to lead Chamber of Commerce

Mudd said the chamber was looking for “a person with the ability to build consensus with diverse political constituencies, business and labor interests, and with the proven record of building strong support for very big challenges.”

“We believe we have found the person that exceeds all of our expectations and will place the chamber on a powerful path,” Mudd said of Sanders. He would later add, “It’s a beautiful match. His public sector experience matches our private sector experience.”

Sanders has never run a private, for-profit business, though he ran the non-profit United Way of San Diego for four years before becoming mayor.

Sanders also will be tasked with raising the chambers’ political profile. In an interview last month, Mudd said the group wants to ratchet up its influence on elections and shaping public policy. The chamber wants to expand its ability to financially support candidates and ballot initiatives. Mudd said Sanders is an ideal fit for that role.

“The mayor has turned out to be an effective fundraiser, he can grow our PAC,” he said.

He was welcomed by some members of the chamber.

“From what I know of Mayor Sanders, he’s done a great job,” said
Rich Phillips
, a business coach. “The guy’s been able to bring together both sides of the table.”

“I know Mayor Sanders has a very long and good history with the City of San Diego,” he said.

Sanders’ influence on the organization likely won’t be felt until later next year because of a planned vacation to Italy with his wife in January. He won’t return until April 1.

Barrales, 50, announced his resignation in September after running the 3,000-member chamber since 2006.

Sanders leaves the Mayor’s Office held in high esteem by many because of his efforts to turn San Diego’s finances around. When he took office in 2005, he inherited a dysfunctional city government saddled with a massive pension deficit and unable to borrow money. He pushed through various reforms that have largely stabilized city finances.